Rent Collection Without Problems — 8 Practical Steps for Landlords

Why Tenants Pay Late

Common reasons include: no advance reminders, unclear amounts due (especially with partial payments), no clear payment mechanism, and no consequences for late payment in the contract.

8 Steps to Collect Rent on Time

1. Set clear payment terms in the contract — exact amounts, due dates, payment methods, and late payment consequences
2. Send reminders before due date — 7 days before and 1 day before via WhatsApp
3. Offer easy payment methods — for documented residential leases, Ejar's digital channels (mada, or SADAD biller 153), the only recognised proof of payment since 15 January 2024; for commercial leases, bank transfer with clear reference numbers
4. Use FIFO for partial payments — automatically allocate to oldest invoice first
5. Follow up on arrears immediately — day 1: friendly reminder, week 1: direct contact, month 1: formal procedures
6. Document everything — every payment, reminder, and communication with timestamps
7. Provide regular reports to owners — monthly reports showing collected revenue, arrears, and actions taken
8. Use an integrated management system — automate reminders, FIFO allocation, reports, and record-keeping